Casino Ballroom kicks off its season with March 30th show

Thursday

Mar 29, 2018 at 5:02 AMMar 29, 2018 at 2:18 PM

By Christopher Hislop

George Thorogood once told me, “Rock and roll never sleeps ... It just passes out.”

For the Casino Ballroom, the venue is alive, kicking and sans sleep for roughly nine months out of the year. Then it, and all that fall under its employ, pass out for three months to catch a quick break before it all starts again. Well, the time has come for the historic doors down by the beach to swing open once again – as they have since the late 1890s.

Let’s hope another late “winter” storm doesn’t pile up the snow and debris on the boardwalk between now and tomorrow (March 30) when the new season's first show commences (One Night of Queen). But even if it does, the show will go on. And on, and on, and on; until it passes out sometime in November – when the snow gets ready to pick up again.

EDGE caught up with Casino master of ceremonies Andy Herrick, the venue's director of marketing, to discuss the impending season and highlights and lessons from seasons of yore.

EDGE: What’s shakin’ over at the beach? Is the snow clear or is the beach still ripe for toboggan pulling?

Herrick: Looks like we will once again avoid the toboggan rides down the back strip. All is well; a couple of gnarly storms this winter, but otherwise all good. Does it ever just sprinkle anymore?

EDGE: What’s new this year? Anything exciting to report?

Herrick: For the first time in a long time, we had no new developments from an operations standpoint. Last year’s biggest change was the theater-style seating for the seated shows. They were a big hit with our guests last year. About half our shows are seated each year, it’s the artist's choice how we set up the room, and the theater seating is so much better than the old table and chair set up. And they all face the stage ... novel idea!

EDGE: As the season looms near, do you guys get nervous about unlocking the doors and welcoming in a new “season,” or does it just seem like each year flows effortlessly into the next? Is there a period of “priming the pump” and getting back into game shape?

Herrick: I would say there is more excitement than nerves. Physically it probably takes three weeks to get the old girl to fly; mentally we probably start preparing each year on Jan. 2.

EDGE: Did you learn anything from last year that will inform the way you approach anything in particular this year?

Herrick: Great question. I think we learned a little about what we can and can’t offer from a “style” perspective. We are often times surprised when we stretch our comfort zone stylistically and find that people still show up. We are also always learning more about the most effective ways to reach people who want to hear about upcoming shows.

EDGE: What were your personal highlights from last season?

Herrick: Some of my highlights were Magpie Salute, Lettuce, Umphrey’s and Bill Burr.

EDGE: What are you most looking forward to this year?

Herrick: There are a ton of shows on my list this year already. Jon Butler, Michael Franti, Rebelution, Joe Perry, Kenny Wayne and Beth Hart together, the Revivalists. Should be a great year on the beach for sure.

EDGE: What’s the greatest challenge for the Casino?

Herrick: The greatest challenge is probably the building itself. There are some aspects to an historic building that are like round hole square peg-ish.

EDGE: What’s the greatest strength?

Herrick: The building itself (laughs).

From the history to the intimacy overcoming the biggest challenge usually ends up being our greatest strength. Not having everything perfect is a unique way of getting people to work together and it usually leads to a better show. Technically I guess this means our greatest strength is our people. Our staff is amazing and so many of them return each year and become part of our journey and add to our history.

EDGE: Do bands ever ask you to send a runner on the boardwalk to grab Blink’s fried dough for the green room (or something of the like)?

Herrick: For sure! If you don’t eat fried dough at least once per tour, check your pulse.

EDGE: How many shows have the Beach Boys performed at the Casino?

Herrick: Great question. I have no idea. They have been playing the Ballroom so much for so long I couldn’t even guess. We really don’t have a comprehensive list prior to 1998 unfortunately. I will say, with a marketing wink, two more times this year!

EDGE: What else?

Herrick: I think this year is going to be amazing. My educated guess is that we have more shows than our average year and that we will have more than a handful of shows in the mix where you can’t believe you are seeing (“insert band name”) at the Ballroom. Feeling good from E street!

I’d say that the Casino is a summertime tradition, but it looms far longer than those few fleeting months. It’s the lead up to summer (spring), the soundtrack of summer (summer), and the spirit of prolonging longer, warmer days (fall) before the darkness sets in (winter) – at which point, it’s time to pass out and hibernate anyhow. Here’s to another great year on the beach! Visit www.casinoballroom.com to have a look at the more than 40 shows they have on the calendar already, and keep an eye on things as time carries on as they continuously add shows on a weekly basis.

“It’s always a packed room. It’s always a great time. There are always people waiting outside the doors. I can’t get enough of the place. I love the fans; I love the folks on staff. ... It’s a great room. A classic room. That bandstand feels like it was tailor-made for me, what can I say? I’m not one of these angst-driven artists – you know, the world is heavy on my shoulders type of thing ... My heart is on my sleeve, and Hampton Beach is my home, what can I say?”

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